Family wants nurse to function in a dark environment

[PerfectlyPlump, ADN, RN]

I went to a home I liked a lot, but the mom keeps the house dark. She says it helps keep the house cool. First off, I need to see my patient's color, and then get a good look at his skin. Also, I wear bifocals, and it is likely that I will trip over something in the semi-dark.

This patient does have seizures. Lights coming on may be a trigger but the mom never said that. Another time, I cared for another seizure pt with until late at night. I used a flashlight to do his diaper change, since he often stooled due to lower-body paralysis. Well, he also seized in the night, and mom thought my flashlight was the reason.

How do YOU assess or care for your pt in a dark environment? Or, how do you negotiate for yourself and get some light? Please be frank if you think I am being unreasonable in my expectation

[ventmommy]

Maybe explain to the family that a low level light would be safer for the seizure prone patient than using a flashlight or headlamp. I always had on a 25watt blue bulb in a lamp. Obviously not great for assessing color but you could always use a different color or if you had reason to suspect that your patient's color was crappy it's probably time for a real light anyway.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

I agree with ventmommy.

Also, it's just not safe realistically to keep a house so dark where anyone cannot get around. Emphasize the safety for the family as well a YOU.

While lighting can be a possible trigger, you still have to perform your assessment. Find strategies to decrease the occurrence...such as are they old enough to handle sunglasses, or cover their eyes during the change in the light. You be surprised how many kids, no matter their developmental level, love sunglasses, lol. Even for the five secs you need to turn on the light. Sounds out of the box, lol, :) but the priority is to make sure an accurate assessment is done.

[PerfectlyPlump, ADN, RN]

I like the sunglasses idea.

[PerfectlyPlump, ADN, RN]

Nurses, thanks for your thoughts.

I have come up with a partial solution. I googled and learned about some tools I had no idea existed. And I bought them today at Staples for little to nothing.

I got a square pop-up magnifying glass with a light. I am going to use it to see hard-to-view skin areas.

( I have always felt odd about getting in close to see with my bifocals.) This tool will help me assess in semi-darkness. It has a case to keep it safe in my nurse bag.

I also got this ruler that is clear and magnifies X 2. I plan to use this to read the 485. Ours has very small print, and this little tool will save me time and aggravation.

I am pumped!

[systoly]

hope the pt. is never hospitalized or has a Dr. apt.

I might buy the keep the house cool story if there's no TV, PC, etc.

each of which will put a 100 watt bulb to shame